Category: Reviews
Deathbell – A Nocturnal Crossing Review
[Cover artwork by Adam Burke at Nightjar Illustration] France’s Deathbell broke convention and tossed the idea of a sophomore slump right on its ass. Where 2018’s debut, With the Beyond, was a fine reiteration of …
Deathhammer – Electric Warfare Review
It is mere illusion and pretty sentiment to expect much from mankind if he forgets how to make war. And yet no means are known which call so much into action as a great war, …
Achelous – The Icewind Chronicles Review
Knowing nothing about R.A. Salvatore’s Icewind Dale trilogy, I am not the absolute, dead-on target demographic for Achelous’s The Icewind Chronicles. With song titles like “Mithril Hall” and “Halfling’s Gem,” the album has a fairly …
Scorpions – Rock Believer Review
From the moment they started doing interviews for their 19th album Rock Believer, the Scorpions made a point of mentioning records like Lovedrive and Blackout, and of saying that they wanted to return to just …
Voivod – Synchro Anarchy Review
[Art by Michel “Away” Langevin] By all reliable accounts, Voivod’s last album, The Wake, was a resounding success. That record continued an upward trajectory begun with the addition of Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain on guitar in …
Saxon – Carpe Diem Review
I’m tempted to open this particular scribbling with some proclamation like, “Saxon probably shouldn’t be making albums this strong this late in their career.” But then again, who am I to say what a metal …
Karmanjaka – Gates Of Muspel Review
Black metal can often feel and sound triumphant. That triumph, however, is still very often connected to grimness, darkness, hell, war or any other sentiment rooted in capital E evil. Karmanjaka’s third album Gates of Muspel is …
Blast Rites #2: Human Cull – To Weep For Unconquered Worlds Review
Way back, oh… like a month ago, when we here at the Last Rites Emporium Of Fine Musical Tastes were compiling our Most Anticipated Releases Of 2022 features, I was narrowing down my short list …